Rice History
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How did rice get to the U.S.A. ?
| There are several stories regarding the introduction of rice to America. One talks of a dutch ship that in 1694 set sail from Madagaskar. Storm-battered, it took refuge in South Carolina's Charleston Harbour, Charleston's inhabitants gave the crew a warm welcome and helped repair the ship. The departing ship's English Captain expressed his gratitude to the community by presenting it with a sample of his cargo, 'Golde Seed Rice'. These precious rice seeds were the forerunners of a now famous rice type - 'Carolina Golde'. |
South Carolina became the first American state to farm rice although,
following the Civil War it ceased to do so and rice farming moved
westward to Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
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The U.S.A. is one of the world's largest rice exporters. |